Table 1.

Characteristics of the sample (n = 32)

Age
Mean	47 years
Distribution	18–84 years
Sex
Male	n = 17
Female	n = 15
Socio‐economic group (after NS‐SEC, ONS, 2000 29 )
1. Higher managerial and professional	n = 1
2. Lower managerial and professional	n = 4
3. Intermediate	n = 4
4. Small employers and own account     workers	n = 1
5. Lower supervisory and technical	n = 0
6. Semi‐routine	n = 4
7. Routine	n = 0
8. Never worked and long‐term unemployed     of whom:	n = 9
Never worked (housewife)	n = 1
Long‐term unemployed (all permanent sick)	n = 5
Student	n = 3
Retired	n = 9
Location
Primary care	n = 13
Secondary care	n = 19